“Yankee Gas is committed to safety,” says Raymond Necci, president and chief operating officer of Yankee Gas. “That’s why we like to remind customers at the start of the heating season of some simple rules to follow when heating their homes.”

Preventing carbon monoxide poisoning
To reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, customers should make certain that chimney and vent pipes are opened and unobstructed. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly. It is the byproduct of incomplete combustion of any type of fossil fuel, including heating oil, coal and natural gas.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are “flu-like” and include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and confusion. You should suspect the presence of carbon monoxide if your symptoms improve or disappear when you leave a particular building where you think there might be a buildup of carbon monoxide. If that occurs, here are some life-saving tips:

What to do if you smell natural gas
Natural gas is also a colorless, odorless gas. That’s why natural gas companies, like Yankee Gas, add a chemical called mercaptan to give it a “rotten eggs” odor. This makes the gas easy to detect in the event of a natural gas leak. Leaks can be caused by something as simple as a pilot light going out on a stove or third party damage to underground gas mains. That’s why it’s important to know what to do in the unlikely event of a leak.

Natural gas is non-toxic and it will dissipate harmlessly into the air. But if you should detect that “rotten eggs” smell, Yankee Gas recommends the following tips:

Do not operate electric switches, appliances or flashlights

Do not use the telephone, including a cellular phone (go to a neighbor’s to use their phone)

Do not light matches and be sure to extinguish any open flames, such as candles

Leave doors and windows open, but don’t take the time to open them if they are closed

Leave the premises and call Yankee Gas from a nearby pay phone, cell phone or a neighbor’s home

Yankee Gas operates a 24-hour gas leak emergency hotline for prompt response in the event of a reported gas leak. Customers can call any time, day or night, 1-800-992-3427. In addition, Yankee Gas has extensive annual campaigns to educate customers, schoolchildren and the public about natural gas safety and offers training to fire departments throughout its service territory. Yankee Gas also offers service plans for central heating and hot water systems and performs service work on these systems, with inspections conducted from April 1 through September 30.

To learn more about the many safe, reliable uses for natural gas and its excellent safety record, visit www.yankeegas.com.

Yankee Gas Services Company (Yankee Gas) is Connecticut’s largest natural gas distribution company, delivering safe, reliable natural gas service to approximately 196,000 customers in 71 cities and towns. Yankee Gas is expanding Connecticut’s energy options and increasing customer choice by extending the availability of clean, efficient natural gas throughout the state. Yankee Gas is part of the Northeast Utilities System (NYSE: NU). For more information, please visit www.yankeegas.com.